Curtis Woodward
Digital & HC Marketing Manager at Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, in the United Kingdom.
Situated on Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront, the new 52,888-seater football stadium for Everton FC will be the catalyst for the regeneration of North Liverpool.
Laing O’Rourke is the main construction partner on the 555 million GBP stadium and is using the power of its experience to efficiently deliver this hugely complex football stadium on time and on budget.
This monumental undertaking has been aided by its collaboration with Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, Laing O’Rourke’s strategic digital partner. With their combined expertise and utilisation of the latest technologies, the Everton stadium construction project promises to be a remarkable feat of engineering and design.
UNVEILING A VISION
The inception of the new Everton stadium project came as a response to the club’s aspirations for a modern, purpose-built venue that would enhance the matchday experience for fans while providing a vibrant hub for community engagement. The design of the stadium envisions a striking architectural marvel, blending modernity and tradition to create a unique and iconic structure that befits the club’s rich history.
ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE
With more than 150 years of experience, Laing O’Rourke is the largest privately owned construction and engineering company in the United Kingdom and provides building infrastructure, modular manufacturing, investment, development and support services. Laing O’Rourke — renowned for its expertise in delivering large-scale and technically complex construction projects — was selected as the main construction partner for the Everton stadium. With an impressive track record of delivering world-class projects, including sports stadia, the company’s delivery team brings a wealth of experience to the project. Laing O’Rourke’s commitment to employing cutting-edge technologies, sustainable practices and collaborative methodologies makes it the ideal partner for such an ambitious project.
“Laing O’Rourke is a global engineering enterprise which specialises in complex projects. By using the latest digital processes throughout the design and delivery phases, we provide the certainty our clients want and need.” - Ellis McNulty, Digital Build Lead at Laing O’Rourke.
THE FUTURE OF PRECISION PLANNING
At the heart of this project is the team at Laing O’Rourke, who have transformed their meetings with an immersive experience aimed at enhancing communication among the project team. The team achieved large-scale involvement by investing in an immersive training space and leveraging a proactive digital model and a team-owned detailed schedule to enable meaningful and holistic insights. “The 4D dynamic and collaborative planning workshops have transformed how we plan, manage and review our delivery outputs on complex construction projects. This is a one-team plan owned by everyone, the planning & programming team are not here to record what has and hasn’t happened but instead to help inform decision making about what is going to happen and how we will deliver it safely and efficiently — it’s supercharged our forward thinking,” says Gareth Jacques, Project Director at Laing O’Rourke.
PRECISION AND INNOVATION
Leica Geosystems’ expertise has enabled the seamless integration of digital and physical information, facilitating efficient decision making and enhancing the overall project management.
The close collaboration between Laing O’Rourke and Leica Geosystems has been vital in the Everton stadium project. Advanced surveying and measurement technologies ensured precision and accuracy in every aspect of the construction process.
UTILISING CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY
Advanced technologies that streamline the construction process are core to the collaboration between Laing O’Rourke and Leica Geosystems. Laser scanning and reality capture techniques provide a comprehensive understanding of the project site, enabling precise measurements, accurate modelling and efficient planning. This digital information acts as a foundation for designing and constructing the stadium to the highest standards of quality.
On this project in particular, the partnership has provided the opportunity to develop the Leica iCON QR code scanner to push the boundaries in modern methods of construction and enable efficiencies with setting out and assisting to ensure the installation is right the first time, every time.
The Leica iCON equipment expedited the installation of 8,000 complex precast pieces with high precision. To date, the project has and is utilising a breadth of hardware and software solutions, including total stations, GNSS smart antennas, machine control, laser scanning and a comprehensive software portfolio. The array of equipment, techniques adopted and system integrations have enabled unprecedented data collection at a large scale. By digitising the workflow, it has helped site engineers and surveyors verify data onsite faster. The digital process in the office can be transferred directly to the site as the project team can upload the IFC models on their Leica iCON controllers and be able to utilise this rich data for better efficiencies.
EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY
The Everton stadium construction project is focused on delivering a world-class sporting venue and emphasising sustainability and environmental responsibility. Laing O’Rourke and Leica Geosystems are committed to employing sustainable practices, minimising waste, and optimising resource utilisation throughout the construction process. By prioritising eco-friendly approaches, the project aims to achieve long-term sustainability and reduce its ecological footprint.
CONCLUSION
The collaborative efforts of Laing O’Rourke and Leica Geosystems in the construction of the new Everton stadium exemplifies the power of partnerships and innovation and collaboration with transforming ambitious visions into tangible reality. With their expertise in engineering, cutting-edge technologies, and sustainable practices, they are poised to create a stadium that will stand as a testament to the club’s legacy and become an iconic landmark for both Everton fans and the wider community. The Everton stadium construction project represents a remarkable chapter in the history of both engineering and football, demonstrating the positive impact that collaborative ventures can achieve.
